New York Lt. Gov. David A. Paterson, chairman of the state's renewable energy task force, has announced 16 recommendations as part of a road map to significantly increase renewable energy generation in the state.
‘Increasing the state's supply of clean, renewable energy will stem the flow of dollars out of state to pay for imported energy and will create jobs here in New York,’ says Gov. Eliot Spitzer. ‘Our challenge is not a lack of renewable energy potential, it is finding ways to effectively develop it and create economic opportunities in our own backyard.’
The task force has 20 members representing stakeholders in the renewable energy field, including the renewable energy and alternative fuel industries, environmental and agricultural communities, academia and public utilities. Recommendations include:
– increasing the renewable energy supply in New York to meet 25% of electricity demand by 2013 and fully funding the renewable portfolio standard to make it happen,
– developing new business incentives to attract renewable energy technology companies to the state, and
– developing and supporting a green-collar workforce of skilled labor to support renewable energy technology companies by coordinating training programs, and expanding and enhancing those programs as necessary.
The task force's final report is due in December.
